"...When you did it to one of the least of these, you were doing it to me."

Help us help them

Hope for the World has changed my life, giving me a bigger heart and a humbler attidude. It looked like had God focused me to take care of my family and the orphans. That’s where the world would start and end for me. But God had different plans for me.

Since starting the Bible club in Marikaj, Many things have changed in my heart and mind. I can’t help staying at the center after hours if I know how to do something that is needed. My heart really hurts to see the kids of this community who have parents but do not seem to see how rebellious and aggresive they were when we first started the Kids Bible Club.

This program connected us more with the community, this program made all our hearts softer. Having community children with us several times during the week also allowed us to meet their parents and families. I really feel honored and blessed now when a parent comes from the village and asks me, "Please can you go to the school for me today? My child has caused problems, but I can’t get out of work. Can you go talk to their teacher?"

At first, some of the parents would not even allow their kids to come to our club. Now when they see us walking around Marikaj on errands, they come and speak to us with lots of respect. I really feel we do have the privilege to share the gospel here in Marikaj, to be the light in a place where 100% are Muslim.

Another blessing I have lately experienced during my work here in Marikaj are the meetings we have had with ladies and teachers. The first time they only accepted the invitation out of respect, but have since started showing up for every event (even for Christmas and Easter when we have big services).

After one of the teachers heard Pam’s message when we got together for Mother’s day, she said, "Now I know why your teens are so different and special in school: They do not have just you, they have the Lord too."

I feel really blessed that the teens that have left the Hope Center, are on their way in life. 85% of them have finished the University. A good number of them now have their own family, their own jobs and lives.. Hope for the World has done for them what a healthy, biological family should do.